LB Depth Chart?

[XXXIVwin]

Lawler is a tweener DE/Edge, no? He's not making the team anyways

Yes, my bad, you are correct that Lawler plays on outside..

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

From Troy Reeder, Kenny Young, and Justin Lawler?

Hate to say it, but I’m kind of reminded of the Homer debates we had between 2008 and 2010 about the WR group. We had a LOT of candidates, but the overall talent pool was pretty thin. Guys like Laurent Robinson, Keenan Burton, Donnie Avery, Mardy Gilyard, Derek Stanley, Brandon Gibson, and everyone’s favorite “if he can only stay healthy!” guy, Danario Alexander.

Yeah, some of these guys had their moments, but the talent level just was below average compared to other NFL players. Always seemed like a big deal when a Ram WR could have a 600 yard season in those days.

Just because there are a lot of candidates, that doesnt mean the guys that win the starting jobs will be good players, necessarily.

Hoping for the best of course, and I know the Rams can’t fill every hole on the roster. But right now the overall talent level at ILB for 2020 looks pretty thin.

Oh I remember those times very well. We had no choice but to HOPE those guys would develop because all you had was hope. There was no reason to be confident in the team developing the talent.

But this current staff and front office is simply not missing on its draft picks to any substantial level. We aren't recycling guys by drafting guys at positions where we just drafted a guy at the same position within the last couple of years. This last draft was full of situations where teams were drafting to replace busts. We aren't having to do that. We have a roster full of 3rd round or later draft picks, UDFAs who are contributing. Those 2008 - 2010 teams were doing anything close to that.

We aren't missing on our draft picks..... We aren't recycling busts.... We're developing players.

That's the reality. Don't need to be a homer to see that. It's just the truth. When we start missing on draft picks, and develop guys that can't do the job, then I'll doubt. But I'm not going to doubt for no reason.

 

[Ram Ts]

I think we’re gonna see Floyd moving around and playing inside a decent amount - like 20 to 40%.

 

[FarNorth]

I think we’re gonna see Floyd moving around and playing inside a decent amount - like 20 to 40%.

Great point! The Rams now have some additional pieces on D, and they may give rise to some adjustments or sets we aren't yet expecting. Another example is Lewis, who apparently played multiple positions at Alabama, including pass coverage on some plays.

It will be interesting to see how our new DC and former linebacker guru Staley sorts it all out.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Oh I remember those times very well. We had no choice but to HOPE those guys would develop because all you had was hope. There was no reason to be confident in the team developing the talent.

But this current staff and front office is simply not missing on its draft picks to any substantial level. We aren't recycling guys by drafting guys at positions where we just drafted a guy at the same position within the last couple of years. This last draft was full of situations where teams were drafting to replace busts. We aren't having to do that. We have a roster full of 3rd round or later draft picks, UDFAs who are contributing. Those 2008 - 2010 teams were doing anything close to that.

We aren't missing on our draft picks..... We aren't recycling busts.... We're developing players.

That's the reality. Don't need to be a homer to see that. It's just the truth. When we start missing on draft picks, and develop guys that can't do the job, then I'll doubt. But I'm not going to doubt for no reason.

Great post!

Yeah, you’re right, it’s awesome to be a Rams fan nowadays and to have confidence that they are smart, drafting well, and developing players.

I love McSnead and have full confidence in both guys. The way I see it though, they went “All in” via the cap to make a SB run in 2018, and had some unfortunate injury issues to star players (Gurley and Cooks), and now they just don’t have enough $ to fill all the holes on the roster. Hence having to let go a lot of talent in Fowler, Littleton, NRC, and Matthews.

So yeah, IMHO you are absolutely right that they are managing things well overall and they are not having to “recycle draft busts.” But for 2020 at least, they are dealing with cap issues (just look at the dead money this year!) and that means some positions (like ILB) are just gonna have to make do with less.

I’m all for rooting for our low-and mid-round draft picks to come through. But they’re gonna have a tough time living up to the LBs that left who signed for 12M APY (Littleton) and 15M APY (Fowler).

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Looks like we added a decent UDFA ILB... Daniel Bituli out of Tennessee

2020 Draft Prospects: Daniel Bituli, LB, Tennessee

www.patriots.com

 

[BonifayRam]

Looks like we added a decent UDFA ILB... Daniel Bituli out of Tennessee

2020 Draft Prospects: Daniel Bituli, LB, Tennessee

www.patriots.com

Another Tennessee senior has found an opportunity in the NFL. After a knee injury reportedly put his pro chances on hold, Daniel Bituli will sign with the Los Angeles Rams, per Terez Paylor.

Tennessee LB Daniel Bituli is signing with the L.A. Rams, a source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 29, 2020

Bituli was a three-year starter at Tennessee, leading the Volunteers in tackles over each of those three seasons. His 2019 season was delayed by a knee issue as well, which caused him to miss the first two games of the year. Due to limited contact with prospects, NFL organizations had to take an entirely different approach to the draft process following the coronavirus outbreak. That certainly did Bituli no favors.

Bituli was the unquestioned leader of the Tennessee defense. The 6-3, 250 pound middle linebacker was projected to go in the 6th or 7th round, but the unknowns surrounding his knee likely caused him to go undrafted. Bituli put up 88 tackles in just 11 games as a senior.

 

[Ramstien]

I'm a Tennessee fan and Bituli was my favorite player. I see him being on the roster and possibly in the starting lineup, this season. Anyone remember another Volunteer LBer nicknamed Hacksaw.

 

[SeminoleRam]

I'm a Tennessee fan and Bituli was my favorite player. I see him being on the roster and possibly in the starting lineup, this season. Anyone remember another Volunteer LBer nicknamed Hacksaw.

“Hacksaw” Jack Reynolds! One of my Alltime Favorite Ram!!! He was one Very, TOUGH/RUGGED Player!!! If, Bituli is 50% of the player “Hacksaw” Reynolds was then the Rams got themselves quite a player!!! And, Ramstein, Please correct me if I am wrong but my memory (And, It IS Really Bad!) tells me that Jack Reynolds got his nickname “Hacksaw” because he got so mad after a loss while he was playing for the Vols that he actually took a Hacksaw and cut his vehicle in half (At least that is the story I remember!)!!!

 

[ReddingRam]

View attachment 36026
Another Tennessee senior has found an opportunity in the NFL. After a knee injury reportedly put his pro chances on hold, Daniel Bituli will sign with the Los Angeles Rams, per Terez Paylor.



Bituli was a three-year starter at Tennessee, leading the Volunteers in tackles over each of those three seasons. His 2019 season was delayed by a knee issue as well, which caused him to miss the first two games of the year. Due to limited contact with prospects, NFL organizations had to take an entirely different approach to the draft process following the coronavirus outbreak. That certainly did Bituli no favors.

Bituli was the unquestioned leader of the Tennessee defense. The 6-3, 250 pound middle linebacker was projected to go in the 6th or 7th round, but the unknowns surrounding his knee likely caused him to go undrafted. Bituli put up 88 tackles in just 11 games as a senior.

Would be nice if this guys could fill the 1st & 2nd down run fits. On Defense, the ILB spots are the only ones that....I wouldn't say "concern" me ... but more ... just want to see it finally filled correctly. We have had a ton of ILB's ... both in the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes that were great athletes... but pretty damn ordinary at actually "stuffing the middle". And i'm talking all the way back to Laurenintis. JL, AO... everyone else has been JAG's if you ask me. Tons of tackles... but most of them 7+ yds down field. I want to see guys who can play DOWNHILL. Stuff the hole! Tackle soundly. Shed blocks. ... damn it's been awhile....like London Fletcher ...while.

 

[Juice]

I was going to start a post of my own, but it just might fit here instead.

Doesn't out current roster support a change back to a 4-3?

 

[Gandalf]

“Hacksaw” Jack Reynolds! One of my Alltime Favorite Ram!!! He was one Very, TOUGH/RUGGED Player!!! If, Bituli is 50% of the player “Hacksaw” Reynolds was then the Rams got themselves quite a player!!! And, Ramstein, Please correct me if I am wrong but my memory (And, It IS Really Bad!) tells me that Jack Reynolds got his nickname “Hacksaw” because he got so mad after a loss while he was playing for the Vols that he actually took a Hacksaw and cut his vehicle in half (At least that is the story I remember!)!!!

I was a big fan, until he went to the whiners and helped them get two superbowls.

 

[ReddingRam]

I was going to start a post of my on, but it just might fit here instead.

Doesn't out current roster support a change back to a 4-3?

No .. not really. Especially this year. the new additions are more 3-4 type players. WP was playing a "hybrid -3-4" .. but he didn't have the horses to fill all the needs. The actual thing though is, the NFL ...no matter 4-3 or 3-4 based, tends to play more 2-5 and nickle based type defenses to try and stop the spread offenses. Thus....IMHO, is why we are seeing a resurgence of the RB and running game. It's all "point..counter point".

 

[SeminoleRam]

I was a big fan, until he went to the whiners and helped them get two superbowls.

Yes, That did Hurt! I think I took that out of my Memory Bank!!!

 

[Gandalf]

Yes, That did Hurt! I think I took that out of my Memory Bank!!!

Sorry for reminding you! It is very difficult when some of your favorite players get dealt or not resigned, especially when they join the hated whiners.

 

[SeminoleRam]

Sorry for reminding you! It is very difficult when some of your favorite players get dealt or not resigned, especially when they join the hated whiners.

Agree!!!

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

So as it stands now it looks like we got 6 main guys competing for ILB. Kiser, Reader, and Bituli. Howard, Young, and Johnston

 

[dang]

I think we’re gonna see Floyd moving around and playing inside a decent amount - like 20 to 40%.

and Ebukam and Young and Patrick???

 

[Ramstien]

“Hacksaw” Jack Reynolds! One of my Alltime Favorite Ram!!! He was one Very, TOUGH/RUGGED Player!!! If, Bituli is 50% of the player “Hacksaw” Reynolds was then the Rams got themselves quite a player!!! And, Ramstein, Please correct me if I am wrong but my memory (And, It IS Really Bad!) tells me that Jack Reynolds got his nickname “Hacksaw” because he got so mad after a loss while he was playing for the Vols that he actually took a Hacksaw and cut his vehicle in half (At least that is the story I remember!)!!!

It was Old Miss, Tennessee was previously undefeated when they got slaughtered by Old Miss 38 to 0. When he returned from the loss Reynolds sawed his 1954 Chevy in half with a hacksaw, hence the nickname.

 

[ReddingRam]

and Ebukam and Young and Patrick???

The LB group looks a lot better now with the added competition. And it is starting to show and make sense that they wanted a group that is versatile and multiple. IDK how Staley will actually be at calling plays on game day, but i am liking what I am seeing with his personnel types. One thing about WP ... his defenses were ALL about getting to the QB. and we got burned many times lying on that sword. Just like on offense, you need to be able to adapt and adjust to your opponent every week and adjust to their adjustments on game day.